GRACE Updates

Kasugho, the remote area in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where GRACE is located, is a stunningly beautiful place. It is nestled high up in the mountains at an elevation of over 6000 feet. Up here, the air is thin and you literally walk amongst the clouds. But the weather changes quickly and is very unpredictable. One moment it’s hot and sunny then heavy clouds suddenly roll in, bringing h

By Beth Schaefer, Curator of Primates and Carnivores at the Houston Zoo After arriving at GRACE, Rachel Daneault (Primate Zoological Manager, Disney’s Animal Kingdom) and I were eager to set up the workshop we had prepared for the GRACE gorilla care staff covering natural history, safety, and management strategies. The hope was to use this information to help the staff work toward a holistic manag

By Claire Martin, Disney Conservation Programs Manager & Rachel Daneault, Primate Zoological Manager, Disney’s Animal Kingdom “Are you taking guns in with you?” was one of the more matter-of-fact questions we were asked when we told people that we were heading to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to work with GRACE. Some of the other reactions were more colorful and seemed to take in

by Rachel Daneault, Primate Zoological Manager, Disney’s Animal Kingdom When I was initially asked to come to GRACE it was to work with the gorillas. It did not take long for me to realize that the people in the community were just as special as the gorillas I was to work with. That was two years ago. Ever since that trip I have planned to return. I arrived back in Katoya on July 25th. W